Combination lunch box and table



a 27 y A. s. TINKESS COMBINATION LUNCH BOX AND TABLE Filed Jan. 25. 1926 Alfred S. Tin kess ATTORNEY BY @wqgwmzp Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

ALFRED S. TINKESS, 0F STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION LUNCH BOX AND TABLE.

Application filed. January 25. 1926. Serial No. 83,535.

This invention relates to improvements in combination lunch boxes and tables to be used by campers generally and particularly by automobile campers, and represents an improvement over the device shown in my lfigtent No. 1,562,855 dated November 24th,

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified means for holding the side extensions of the table against further downward movement when they have been outstretched to a horizontal position, without interfering with the folding of said extensions, and which operate automatically and without any attention on the part of the user.

I have also placed drawers in the box to slide in and out from the ends thereof, arranged in such a manner that they are held against opening movement when the table extension members are folded, and dust and the like are prevented from entering the drawers.

These objects I accomplish by means 01 such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of the box, the top of the box being partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device with the legs partly cut off.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device, closed.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes the box, a rectangular structure of a size to fit on the running board. of an automobile.

The top of the box adjacent its ends 18 permanently closed by covers 2, leaving a central opening 3 normally covered by a removable lid 4 which is flush with the covers 2. A removable transverse partition 5 is disposed at each end of the central opening forming a central compartment of predetermined area.

In each end of the box is slidably mounted a drawer 6 having a pull-handle 7, the top of the drawers being located immediately under the top covers 2.

The box is mounted on legs 8 flexibly hinged onto the ends of the box in such a manner that they may be folded to lie longitudinally over and under the box; or they may be disposed in vertical transversely alined relationship to the box. Foldable brace members 8 between the legs of each pair and similar bracemembers 8 between each leg and the side of the box serve to limit the unfolding movement of the legs goth longitudinally and transversely of the Fixed on the ends of the box and projecting above the level of the covers 2 are transverse flange members 9.

A folding table extension member 10 whose area is substantially the same as that of the horizontal area of the box has end flanges 11 projecting thereabove which at their lower ends are hinged onto the adjacent ends of the flanges 9.

Another folding table extension member 12 the same size as the member 10 and opposed thereto also has end flanges 13 projecting thereabove and hinged at their inner ends onto the adjacent ends of the flanges 9. This arrangement avoids the use of hinges along the sides of the extensions and box.

The member 10 is hinged so that when folded onto the box it will rest thereon and when outstretched will lie level with the top of the box and parallel thereto. The member 12 is hinged so that when folded it will rest on the folded member 10 and when outstretched will also lie level with and parallel to the top of the box. The member 12 has a side flange 14 along its outer edge which overhangs the hinged edge of the member 10 when folded.

The flanges 9, 11 and 13 are so disposed longitudinally of the box that the flanges 11 will lie outwardly of the flanges 9, while the flanges 13 will lie outwardly of the flanges 11. A space 15 is provided between each flange 11 and the adjacent end of the member 10 so that the flanges 9 may fit between said flanges 11 and member 10 when the latter is folded onto the box.

The height of the flanges 11 is such that when the member 10 is folded, said flanges will project below the top of the drawers 6, overhanging the same.

Dust and the like is therefore then prevented from entering the drawers between the top of the same and the covers 2. All these features are clearly shown in Fig. 3.

To hold the members 10 and 12 against further downward movement when once outstretched, I provide the following structure:

Fixed on the opposite sides of the box at each end thereof are vertical slot members 16. Rigid braces 17 are pivoted at one end onto the flanges 11 auc 13 intermediate their ends and at their opposite ends carry pins 18 which slide in the slots 16.

When the table extension members are outstretched the pins hear at the bottom of the slots so that the braces then hold said members against further lowering movement.

The height of the slots is suliicient to enable the braces to lift up with the folding movement of the extension members, without the pins catching at the top of the slots.

when the extension members are folded the braces lie directly across the front of the drawers, thus of course preventing outward movement of the latter.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in de tail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

- 1. A combination lunch box and table including a box-like member having a top cover, a side extension member for the box hinged at one side thereof so as to fold onto the top of the same or to be outstretched to lie level therewith. a drawer slidably mounted in the box and movable outwardly from one end thereof, and means permanently connectedtothe extension member and box for holding the drawer against opening movement when said member is folded onto the box.

2. A combination lunch box and table including a box-like member having a top cover, a side extension member for the box hinged at one side thereof so as to fold onto the top of the same or to be outstretched to lie level therewith, a drawer slidably mounted in the box and movable outwardly from one end thereof, and means permanently connected to the extension member and box for holding said member against further downward movement when once outstretched and also for holding the drawer'against opening movement when said member is folded onto the box.

A combination lunch box and table in cluding a. box-like member having a top cover, a side extension member for the box hinged at one side thereof so as to fold onto the top of the same or to be outstretched to lie level therewith, vertical slot members on the same side of the box as that on which said member is hinged and located at the ends of the box, transverse braces pivoted at one end onto the ends of the extension member, and members on the opposite ends of the braces movable in the slots.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALFRED S. TINKESS. 

